Dear Parents or Caregivers, As the new school year begins, I am pleased to welcome you and your child to fourth grade.My name is Linda Marquardt (Ms. Marquardt).This will be my eighth year as a teacher in the South Milwaukee School District.I have also taught fifth grade.I believe fourth grade is an important year that helps to bridge the gap between the teacher-directed, formative years of kindergarten through third grade and the independent study skills required in fifth grade and Middle School.In fourth grade we help children learn how to problem solve independently, using respect and care for their classmates and teachers.Learning becomes a partnership between your child, you, and myself. My goals for this year: §To foster a learning environment that develops the best in each child and focuses on cooperation and respect for others; §To individualize educational approaches in order to meet your child’s needs; §To develop a desire for high quality work in your child through self-assessment and reflection §To develop an open line of communication between home and school My thoughts on education: §All students can learn. §All learners and teachers must be respected. §Learning is a lifelong experience. §Supportive environments at school and home are essential for learning. I have developed this handbook to help answer some questions/issues that are often part of fourth grade.Please take some time and look through the handbook now and refer to it throughout the year.If you have any questions, feel please call (766-2904), write or e-mail (marquardt.linda@sdsm.k12.wi.us at me at school. I also accept calls at home up until 8:00 p.m. on school nights. My home number is 762-9461. Classroom Concerns It is necessary that all students know what is expected of them.Classroom rules and consistent consequences are some ways that we communicate our expectations.Below I have listed the general classroom rules we will adopt for our classroom so that all children can learn and be respected.These rules, and the consequences for breaking them, will be discussed with your child at the beginning of the school year. Classroom Rules: 1.Be a good listener. -your eyes are on the speaker and your hands, feet and mouth are quiet 2.Keep your hands and feet to yourself. -so you do not hurt or bother others or keep them from learning 3.Follow directions the first time given. -so that no time is wasted in having to repeat directions 4.Talk nicely to others. -speak to others the way you would like others to speak to you 5.Always act safely. -so everyone is safe in the classroom and on the playground 6.Raise your hand and wait to be called on. -wait your turn to speak so you, and others, can be heard -stay in your seat so you are not distracting others from learning Rewards: positive phone calls and notes home, class games, prizes, extra free time, sit by a friend for the day, treats! Consequences: First time:5 minutes of recess is lost Second time:Write letter during recess / parents must sign Third time:Teacher and student call parent Frequent MisbehaviorSee principal or Dangerous Acts Please take a minute to discuss these expectations with your child.
“Housekeeping” Daily Take Home Folders: Home folders are brought to and from school each day.These folders serve a number of purposes: 1.Homework will be sent in this folder. -Written homework is given Monday - Thursday (unless there is a vacation beginning on the following day). 2.Messages can be sent between home and school. Several sheets of blank paper will be stapled into your child’s folder for communication between home and school.Any office communications will be sent in this folder. 3.Homework Tools To assist students with their homework, I include a multiplication fact chart, sentence starters for our first writing focus (Descriptive writing), and a self-assessment tool for journal entries. Please check and clean out your child’s Home Folder daily.It can be a reliable form of communication between you and I, and it is a tool to help keep your child organized (an important study skill for future success in school). Friday Folders: Each Friday I will send home a folder that includes a weekly report on your child’s behavior choices and work. Students will reflect on their learning each week and write a progress note home to you in their Friday Folders. Included in the folder will be completed and graded work, office notes and fliers, information about upcoming tests, exam results, etc. Please sign and date each week’s Friday Folder. They are due back in school on Monday. Speaking of Money… Money is often sent to school for various reasons: field trips, book orders, emergency lunch money, etc.When you send money to school please: 1.Seal it in an envelope. 2.Put your child’s name on it. 3.Put my name on it. 4.Label the envelope: “Field trip”, “Picture money”, etc. Thank you for your help with this.Each morning I may collect several items at one time and this prevents confusion over who may have sent money and what it was intended for. Field Trip Notices: We plan to go on 2-3 field trips during the year.Please send a check made out to “Rawson School” or cash for field trips.If you forget to send the permission slip and money by the due date, your child will not be able to go with us.Most field trips require chaperones and we will make note of this in the field trip letter. Book Club Offers: There are many book clubs that offer books at reasonable prices.Once a month I will send these offers.They are a great way to build up a home library.If you choose to order: 1.Fill out the order form (including your child’s name). 2.Place the order form and check in a sealed envelope Make checks out to the specific book club (Scholastic) Please do not make checks out to me or to the school.* 3.Write your child’s name and “Book order” on the envelope. 4.Put it in your child’s Daily Home Folder to return to me. 5.Make sure the order is returned by the due date. *Do not send money with book orders. I will only accept checks. Book orders generally take 2-3 weeks to arrive after I place the order. Toys: Please keep an eye on what your child brings to school. Toys like stuffed animals, purses, trading cards and video games and things like make-up can become a real distraction in the classroom. I have no place to store them and I would not want to see any valued items lost or broken. Items such as rubber balls, skip-its, or jump ropes are allowed for playground play.Please label these items with your child’s name to avoid confusion with items that other children may bring. Classroom Celebrations Student Birthdays: We love to celebrate your child’s special day.Birthdays are special occasions in our classroom.Sometimes children want to mark their special day by doing something special for their classmates.Your child may want to bring a birthday treat or buy a new book for the Rawson Library.Either activity is voluntary, but always appreciated by the students. Some children have birthdays that come during the summer and they feel left out of our birthday celebrations.If your child is feeling “left out”, you might want to consider letting us celebrate his/her “half birthday”.This would be the date that they would turn 9 ½ or 10 ½. If this is something your child would like to do, please let me know so that I can make plans for him or her. *Sometimes boys and girls would like to invite classmates to their birthday parties. If so, I ask that invitations be given to me so that they can be put into Home Folders rather than being handed out to children. This helps eliminate hurt feelings when some children are not invited. Extra Treats:Please send only enough treats for students in our class. Frequently students will want to share treats with other teachers and staff members. While it’s wonderful to encourage generosity, this activity takes away valuable learning time and breaks the flow of instruction in other classrooms. If your child wants to share birthday treats with other staff members they will only be allowed to do so after dismissal. Homework Homework is a very important part of fourth grade. It has several purposes: -practices the skills we have taught in school -teaches responsibility in completing and returning work -provides a communication tool between you and your child -helps establish good study habits needed for future success Homework will take on several forms: 1.Daily Reading Homework: There is no substitute for practicing reading and it is an important part of our program.It is expected that fourth graders practice reading 600 minutes per month at home. * We will also have a daily silent reading time in class, and students will be able to continue reading their selected books. *I try to watch the daily book choices of each child to make sure that they are choosing books appropriate to their reading level. If you feel that your child is choosing books that are too easy or too difficult, please send me a note so that I might monitor his/her choices a bit more closely. 2.Fluency homework: Fourth graders are considered to be fluent readers if they can read 120 words per minute aloud. Students are tested at the beginning of the year. If they are not fluent, they will be assigned a weekly passage to read aloud each night Monday through Thursday. This passage includes several short comprehension questions. New vocabulary words will be introduced and discussed in class so that students understand the fluency passage for the week. If your child is reading at or above 120 words per minute, they will be given a nonfiction story to read that includes enrichment activities. The goal is to sharpen their nonfiction reading skills and build their vocabularies. 3.Daily Math Word Problem Word problem solving strategies will be introduced during the first several weeks of school. I will include a laminated blue sheet that explains and provides examples of the seven primary strategies we focus upon in 4th grade. These strategies include: Guess and check, draw a picture, make a list, look for a pattern, make a table or chart, use logical reasoning, and work backwards. Once students have had a chance to use the strategies in class and work with the “Math Problem Solving Worksheet” they will receive one math word problem each night for homework. The problems correlate with our current focus in math. 4.Daily Math Fact Review Mastering multiplication facts from 1-10 is a 3rd grade math standard. Frequently students forget these facts over the summer, so we spend several weeks at the beginning of the year reviewing multiplication facts. Learning their basic division facts from 0-10 is a 4th grade math standard. It is important that students know their basic math facts because we do long division and multiplication problems in 4th grade! Keeping this goal in mind, I assign 10-15 minutes of math fact review each night. Students should know these facts automatically. They may practice using flashcards, worksheets, or math games on the Internet. 5.Language Arts Using proper grammar, punctuation, and capitalization in their writing is another important standard for 4th graders. Throughout the week your child may be assigned a journal entry, paragraph editing, or a grammar worksheet. 6.Other Homework: Throughout the year students may be asked to prepare for a test in science, English, math, etc. During these times I will prepare a special study guide to help them. Other homework that is typically assigned may be reduced so they may focus on test preparation. Also, special projects may be assigned in Social Studies and Science that will take priority. To ensure that students have time for special projects, I will make adjustments to their normal homework routine.
“Let’s Talk” – Communication Ideas Student Planners In an effort to inform you and your child of his/her daily homework/other assignments, we will be using an assignment notebook, or student planner.This is meant to be a helpful organizational tool for you and your child.I ask that you simply initial it after you have checked that your child has completed his/her work for each day. I will look for your signature in the morning so that I know the homework has been completed. Students write down their homework assignments at the start of each day as part of our morning routine. There is NO excuse for them not to have their assignments written down. Each morning I check that assignments are written down. I will stamp each student planner and check for messages from you. General Introduction to the Language Arts Program Your child will be having wonderful reading and writing experiences this year!S/He will be using the Houghton Mifflin reading materials, developing questioning techniques and higher level thinking skills through the use of the Great Books program, as well as quality children’s literature books.Hundreds of books will be available in our classroom, and I will be working with the library to bring in additional books for more information on various topics. Nonfiction reading is a primary focus in our 4th grade room in an effort to prepare students for 5th grade and Middle School. Our reading program will consist of: 1.Shared reading: Whole group reading of one or more stories and poems. (Houghton Mifflin reading series) 2.Literature Circles:Students will form groups based upon their book preferences and work together to explore quality literature and literary elements such as characters, setting, plot, etc. 3.Guided Reading:Small groups of students work on specific reading skills and strategies 4.Great Books:This program involves students in the discussion of quality literature. It helps develop in-depth thinking, higher level questioning techniques, and using evidence within a text to support opinions. 5.Books taken home daily for reading practice at home. 6.Accelerated Reader program(through the library). 7.Read Aloud: Hearing good children’s literature books and/or chapter books. 8.Silent reading time each day. 9.Nonfiction reading strategies A large part of our program will involve daily writing.Students will have a choice of writing prompts to complete each day. We will explore how to organize our ideas through the use of graphic organizers. Students will be expected to focus on quality work that includes correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation. 10. Fluency homework Our Spelling and Vocabulary program: ·Our focus is on decoding and spelling longer words by using what students know about the spelling of smaller words. A strong emphasis will be placed on learning prefixes and suffixes and how their additions change the spelling and meaning of words. Learning activities will involve word-building puzzles, noting related words and rhymes, and writing longer, more complex words, correctly. Another focus will be on high-frequency, often irregularly spelled words such as: they, their, they’re, and there. A classroom Word Wall will be used as an interactive tool to help students work with words and explore word patterns. Homework related to spelling and vocabulary will be given weekly. ·A new Greek or Latin cognate will be introduced early each week. Ask your child what this week’s cognate is and help them brainstorm words that contain the cognate. An example is the cognate “rupt”. It is found in words like: erupt, disrupt, interrupt, etc. Students will be involved in a brainstorming session about words that contain the cognate and will complete graphic organizers for each cognate to help them remember the cognate’s meaning. Ways to Help Your Child with Homework Setting the Atmosphere Help your child find a quiet, comfortable place to work. Turn off the TV and radio to eliminate distractions. Have your child see you as a reader and worker. Read aloud to your child.Reread favorite stories. Read with your child.Take turns. Have your child explain their homework to you. Recognize the value of silent reading. Responding to Errors in Reading Based on the way most of us were taught to read, we have told the child to “sound it out” when s/he comes to an unknown word.While phonics is an important part of reading, reading for meaning is the primary goal.To produce independent readers who monitor and correct themselves as they read, the following prompts are recommended before saying “sound it out”. Give the child wait time of 5-10 seconds.See what s/he attempts to do to help him/herself. “What would make sense here?” “What do you think that word could be?” “Does that word sound right (or look right) to you?” “Use the picture to help you figure out what it could be.” “Go back to the beginning and try that again.” “Go back to the beginning and get your mouth ready to say the first sound in the word.” “Skip over it and read to the end of the sentence.Now what do you think it is?” “Put in a word that would make sense there.” “You read that word before on another page.See if you can find it.” “Is the word _ or_?” Give your child the word. Words of Encouragement Most importantly, focus on what your child is doing well and attempting to do.Remain loving and supportive.When your child is trying to work out the trouble spots and has difficulty, comments such as the following can be helpful: “Good for you.I like the way you tried to work that out.” “That was a good try.Yes, that word would make sense.” “I like the way you looked at the picture to help yourself.” “I like the way you went back to the beginning of the sentence and tried that again.That’s what good reader’s do.” “You are becoming a good reader / problem solver.I’m proud of you.” “You read that just like a grown-up.” (when reading fluently) “I like the way you read that like you meant it.” School Policies and Procedures Attendance: Your child’s school attendance is important to his/her learning.When your child is not at school, he/she misses many of the learning activities and discussions that cannot be made up as homework.However, if your child is ill or there is a family emergency, please call the school office at 766-2904to inform us of the absence. Guidance Counselor: Our guidance counselor is here to help children and their families deal with difficult situations such as divorce, relationships, and death.She is a wonderful resource when you need to talk to someone confidentially about a family difficulty. Medications: Medication may not be given to your child by a classroom teacher.If your child must have medication during the school day, please contact the school office.If your child should need to take cough drops, please send a note explaining this. Lunch: The children are given approximately 20 minutes to eat lunch.Our lunch monitors encourage children to eat, but do not force them to eat anything they do not like.We try to discourage “food swapping” and would appreciate it if you would explain this to your child.Please let me know if your child has any food allergies or dietary restrictions. If your child will be going home for lunch,please send a note explaining this.We are not allowed to release your child during the school day without your written or verbal consent.If your child will be going home for lunch every day, one note explaining this will be fine. All money for lunch or lunch milk should be sent to our school office in a properly marked envelope. Breakfast/Milk:Your child will be given the opportunity to have breakfast at school each day. The office will let you know the cost, if any, for the breakfast. It will be eaten in the classroom from 8:15-8:30 while I am taking attendance, collecting homework and notes, etc. Your child may also purchase milk for this time. If you do not want to purchase breakfast or milk but would like to send a healthy snack for your child to eat during this time, feel free to do so. NOTE: This is a “working breakfast”! During the time your child is having breakfast or snack, they are writing down the assignments, completing their morning math problems, or reading quietly. Recess Clothing: Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather.All children are expected to go outside for recess unless the school office determines that it is too cold (usually when the temperature including the wind chill factor is zero or below) or the child has a medical excuse.Snowsuits and boots are required for playing in the snow, but all children should wear warm coats, boots, hats, and mittens in the winter.Please be sure your child’s name/initials are on all articles of clothing.(You can’t imagine how many black and blue snow pants are walking around Rawson!) Recess Play: Generally, the school policy is that all children should engage in play that is safe for all (see the Rawson School Handbook/Calendar of Events for more information).The playground rules will be explained to all children during the first week of school, along with the consequences for dangerous and/or aggressive activities.Please discuss the importance of safe and respectful behavior with your child. Gym Shoes: If your child does not normally wear tennis shoes to school, please make sure your child has a pair of gym shoes that can be kept at school.An inexpensive pair of tennis shoes works well for Gym and when your child’s feet grow, they are easily replaced. Library Books: In fourth grade, students are allowed to check out three library books per week.At least one book will be an Accelerated Reader book (I will be sending information home about this program when it begins.)As with the reading books, please help your child take care of the books and return them on time.New books cannot be checked out until the old ones have been returned.If a book is lost, or damaged, there will be a replacement fee. Art Supplies: It is important that your child have all the Art supplies listed on the Fourth Grade Supply List. An old, oversized shirt provides a good smock for Art so that your child’s clothes are protected from paint, glue and other messy materials. Ways to Be Involved As your child’s first teacher, you know your child better than anyone.The most important way to be involved in your child’s education is to continue to be supportive of his or her efforts.Show your support by looking at the work your child brings home and asking questions about what he or she has done.It is important to your child’s success that he or she knows you care about what they do in school. If you have the time, there are other ways you can be a part of what’s going on at school.I have listed some of them below, but there are always new opportunities developing throughout the school year. 1.Attend Parent/Teacher Conferences This is a great opportunity for you and I to discuss your child’s progress and brainstorm any necessary steps for his/her future success. 2.Become a regular member of the Parent Team (also known as the “PTO”) We have a dedicated group of parents who are invaluable in helping Rawson School achieve its goals.These parents also provide their point of view about many school policy decisions.Have your voice be heard!The meetings are held once per month in the evening. 3.Become a classroom volunteer.We adore helpers!There are many ways to do this (and they do not all require being present in the classroom). Read a story to the class Work with children by listening to them read Assist in clerical work by cutting out materials, stapling book order forms, etc. Share your occupation or hobby with the class Share your artistic talents with the class Work with children in the computer lab Help students edit written stories Classroom “Wish List” Many parents have told me that they would love to be more involved in their child’s classroom, but because of work obligations or home situations they are short on time.I certainly understand the dilemma of wanting to help out at school and the obligations of work. Our “Wish List” is another way that parents can become involved.Below I have listed some items that we “wish” we had or that we use often.Any of these items would be sincerely appreciated. Paper plates – large and small Plastic or Styrofoam cups – large and small Baggies that seal securely Pencils – I have a “rent-a-pencil” container for students who need to rent a pencil for the day Dry Erase markers – we use white boards A LOT!!! Napkins – for special celebrations Baby Wipes – for sanitizing headphones on computers/ listening centers and for wiping the overhead Disposable cameras – for classroom use Aluminum foil Waxed paper Paper towels-used for morning breakfast Extra rubber playground balls or basketballs Appropriate indoor recess games (like a Chess set, UNO, Trouble, Connect Four, etc. As we go through the year, projects may require specific supplies.In these cases, we will send a note in advance to explain our needs. **
4th Grade
Handbook
Ms. Marquardt’s Room
Introduction
Dear Parents or Caregivers,
As the new school year begins, I am pleased to welcome you and your child to fourth grade. My name is Linda Marquardt (Ms. Marquardt). This will be my eighth year as a teacher in the South Milwaukee School District. I have also taught fifth grade. I believe fourth grade is an important year that helps to bridge the gap between the teacher-directed, formative years of kindergarten through third grade and the independent study skills required in fifth grade and Middle School. In fourth grade we help children learn how to problem solve independently, using respect and care for their classmates and teachers. Learning becomes a partnership between your child, you, and myself.
My goals for this year:
§ To foster a learning environment that develops the best in each child and focuses on cooperation and respect for others;
§ To individualize educational approaches in order to meet your child’s needs;
§ To develop a desire for high quality work in your child through self-assessment and reflection
§ To develop an open line of communication between home and school
My thoughts on education:
§ All students can learn.
§ All learners and teachers must be respected.
§ Learning is a lifelong experience.
§ Supportive environments at school and home are essential for learning.
I have developed this handbook to help answer some questions/issues that are often part of fourth grade. Please take some time and look through the handbook now and refer to it throughout the year. If you have any questions, feel please call (766-2904), write or e-mail (marquardt.linda@sdsm.k12.wi.us at me at school. I also accept calls at home up until 8:00 p.m. on school nights. My home number is 762-9461.
Classroom Concerns
It is necessary that all students know what is expected of them. Classroom rules and consistent consequences are some ways that we communicate our expectations. Below I have listed the general classroom rules we will adopt for our classroom so that all children can learn and be respected. These rules, and the consequences for breaking them, will be discussed with your child at the beginning of the school year.
Classroom Rules:
1. Be a good listener.
- your eyes are on the speaker and your hands, feet and mouth are quiet
2. Keep your hands and feet to yourself.
- so you do not hurt or bother others or keep them from learning
3. Follow directions the first time given.
- so that no time is wasted in having to repeat directions
4. Talk nicely to others.
- speak to others the way you would like others to speak to you
5. Always act safely.
- so everyone is safe in the classroom and on the playground
6. Raise your hand and wait to be called on.
- wait your turn to speak so you, and others, can be heard
- stay in your seat so you are not distracting others from learning
Rewards: positive phone calls and notes home, class games, prizes, extra free time, sit by a friend for the day, treats!
Consequences:
First time: 5 minutes of recess is lost
Second time: Write letter during recess / parents must sign
Third time: Teacher and student call parent
Frequent Misbehavior See principal
or Dangerous Acts
Please take a minute to discuss these expectations with your child.
“Housekeeping”
Daily Take Home Folders:
Home folders are brought to and from school each day. These folders serve a number of purposes:
1. Homework will be sent in this folder.
-Written homework is given Monday - Thursday (unless there is a vacation beginning on the following day).
2. Messages can be sent between home and school.
Several sheets of blank paper will be stapled into your child’s folder for communication between home and school. Any office communications will be sent in this folder.
3. Homework Tools
To assist students with their homework, I include a multiplication fact chart, sentence starters for our first writing focus (Descriptive writing), and a self-assessment tool for journal entries.
Please check and clean out your child’s Home Folder daily. It can be a reliable form of communication between you and I, and it is a tool to help keep your child organized (an important study skill for future success in school).
Friday Folders:
Each Friday I will send home a folder that includes a weekly report on your child’s behavior choices and work. Students will reflect on their learning each week and write a progress note home to you in their Friday Folders. Included in the folder will be completed and graded work, office notes and fliers, information about upcoming tests, exam results, etc.
Please sign and date each week’s Friday Folder. They are due back in school on Monday.
Speaking of Money…
Money is often sent to school for various reasons: field trips, book orders, emergency lunch money, etc. When you send money to school please:
1. Seal it in an envelope.
2. Put your child’s name on it.
3. Put my name on it.
4. Label the envelope: “Field trip”, “Picture money”, etc.
Thank you for your help with this. Each morning I may collect several items at one time and this prevents confusion over who may have sent money and what it was intended for.
Field Trip Notices:
We plan to go on 2-3 field trips during the year. Please send a check made out to “Rawson School” or cash for field trips. If you forget to send the permission slip and money by the due date, your child will not be able to go with us. Most field trips require chaperones and we will make note of this in the field trip letter.
Book Club Offers:
There are many book clubs that offer books at reasonable prices. Once a month I will send these offers. They are a great way to build up a home library. If you choose to order:
1. Fill out the order form (including your child’s name).
2. Place the order form and check in a sealed envelope
Make checks out to the specific book club (Scholastic)
Please do not make checks out to me or to the school.*
3. Write your child’s name and “Book order” on the envelope.
4. Put it in your child’s Daily Home Folder to return to me.
5. Make sure the order is returned by the due date.
*Do not send money with book orders. I will only accept checks.
Book orders generally take 2-3 weeks to arrive after I place the order.
Toys:
Please keep an eye on what your child brings to school. Toys like stuffed animals, purses, trading cards and video games and things like make-up can become a real distraction in the classroom. I have no place to store them and I would not want to see any valued items lost or broken. Items such as rubber balls, skip-its, or jump ropes are allowed for playground play. Please label these items with your child’s name to avoid confusion with items that other children may bring.
Classroom Celebrations
Student Birthdays:
We love to celebrate your child’s special day. Birthdays are special occasions in our classroom. Sometimes children want to mark their special day by doing something special for their classmates. Your child may want to bring a birthday treat or buy a new book for the Rawson Library. Either activity is voluntary, but always appreciated by the students.
Some children have birthdays that come during the summer and they feel left out of our birthday celebrations. If your child is feeling “left out”, you might want to consider letting us celebrate his/her “half birthday”. This would be the date that they would turn 9 ½ or 10 ½. If this is something your child would like to do, please let me know so that I can make plans for him or her.
*Sometimes boys and girls would like to invite classmates to their birthday parties. If so, I ask that invitations be given to me so that they can be put into Home Folders rather than being handed out to children. This helps eliminate hurt feelings when some children are not invited.
Extra Treats: Please send only enough treats for students in our class. Frequently students will want to share treats with other teachers and staff members. While it’s wonderful to encourage generosity, this activity takes away valuable learning time and breaks the flow of instruction in other classrooms. If your child wants to share birthday treats with other staff members they will only be allowed to do so after dismissal.
Homework
Homework is a very important part of fourth grade.
It has several purposes:
- practices the skills we have taught in school
- teaches responsibility in completing and returning work
- provides a communication tool between you and your child
- helps establish good study habits needed for future success
Homework will take on several forms:
1. Daily Reading Homework:
There is no substitute for practicing reading and it is an important part of our program. It is expected that fourth graders practice reading 600 minutes per month at home.
* We will also have a daily silent reading time in class, and students will be able to continue reading their selected books.
*I try to watch the daily book choices of each child to make sure that they are choosing books appropriate to their reading level. If you feel that your child is choosing books that are too easy or too difficult, please send me a note so that I might monitor his/her choices a bit more closely.
2. Fluency homework:
Fourth graders are considered to be fluent readers if they can read 120 words per minute aloud. Students are tested at the beginning of the year. If they are not fluent, they will be assigned a weekly passage to read aloud each night Monday through Thursday. This passage includes several short comprehension questions. New vocabulary words will be introduced and discussed in class so that students understand the fluency passage for the week.
If your child is reading at or above 120 words per minute, they will be given a nonfiction story to read that includes enrichment activities. The goal is to sharpen their nonfiction reading skills and build their vocabularies.
3. Daily Math Word Problem
Word problem solving strategies will be introduced during the first several weeks of school. I will include a laminated blue sheet that explains and provides examples of the seven primary strategies we focus upon in 4th grade. These strategies include: Guess and check, draw a picture, make a list, look for a pattern, make a table or chart, use logical reasoning, and work backwards.
Once students have had a chance to use the strategies in class and work with the “Math Problem Solving Worksheet” they will receive one math word problem each night for homework. The problems correlate with our current focus in math.
4. Daily Math Fact Review
Mastering multiplication facts from 1-10 is a 3rd grade math standard. Frequently students forget these facts over the summer, so we spend several weeks at the beginning of the year reviewing multiplication facts. Learning their basic division facts from 0-10 is a 4th grade math standard. It is important that students know their basic math facts because we do long division and multiplication problems in 4th grade! Keeping this goal in mind, I assign 10-15 minutes of math fact review each night. Students should know these facts automatically. They may practice using flashcards, worksheets, or math games on the Internet.
5. Language Arts
Using proper grammar, punctuation, and capitalization in their writing is another important standard for 4th graders. Throughout the week your child may be assigned a journal entry, paragraph editing, or a grammar worksheet.
6. Other Homework:
Throughout the year students may be asked to prepare for a test in science, English, math, etc. During these times I will prepare a special study guide to help them. Other homework that is typically assigned may be reduced so they may focus on test preparation. Also, special projects may be assigned in Social Studies and Science that will take priority. To ensure that students have time for special projects, I will make adjustments to their normal homework routine.
“Let’s Talk” – Communication Ideas
Student Planners
In an effort to inform you and your child of his/her daily homework/other assignments, we will be using an assignment notebook, or student planner. This is meant to be a helpful organizational tool for you and your child. I ask that you simply initial it after you have checked that your child has completed his/her work for each day. I will look for your signature in the morning so that I know the homework has been completed.
Students write down their homework assignments at the start of each day as part of our morning routine. There is NO excuse for them not to have their assignments written down. Each morning I check that assignments are written down. I will stamp each student planner and check for messages from you.
General Introduction to the Language Arts Program
Your child will be having wonderful reading and writing experiences this year! S/He will be using the Houghton Mifflin reading materials, developing questioning techniques and higher level thinking skills through the use of the Great Books program, as well as quality children’s literature books. Hundreds of books will be available in our classroom, and I will be working with the library to bring in additional books for more information on various topics. Nonfiction reading is a primary focus in our 4th grade room in an effort to prepare students for 5th grade and Middle School.
Our reading program will consist of:
1. Shared reading: Whole group reading of one or more stories and poems. (Houghton Mifflin reading series)
2. Literature Circles: Students will form groups based upon their book preferences and work together to explore quality literature and literary elements such as characters, setting, plot, etc.
3. Guided Reading: Small groups of students work on specific reading skills and strategies
4. Great Books: This program involves students in the discussion of quality literature. It helps develop in-depth thinking, higher level questioning techniques, and using evidence within a text to support opinions.
5. Books taken home daily for reading practice at home.
6. Accelerated Reader program (through the library).
7. Read Aloud: Hearing good children’s literature books and/or chapter books.
8. Silent reading time each day.
9. Nonfiction reading strategies
A large part of our program will involve daily writing. Students will have a choice of writing prompts to complete each day. We will explore how to organize our ideas through the use of graphic organizers. Students will be expected to focus on quality work that includes correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
10. Fluency homework
Our Spelling and Vocabulary program:
· Our focus is on decoding and spelling longer words by using what students know about the spelling of smaller words. A strong emphasis will be placed on learning prefixes and suffixes and how their additions change the spelling and meaning of words. Learning activities will involve word-building puzzles, noting related words and rhymes, and writing longer, more complex words, correctly. Another focus will be on high-frequency, often irregularly spelled words such as: they, their, they’re, and there. A classroom Word Wall will be used as an interactive tool to help students work with words and explore word patterns. Homework related to spelling and vocabulary will be given weekly.
· A new Greek or Latin cognate will be introduced early each week. Ask your child what this week’s cognate is and help them brainstorm words that contain the cognate. An example is the cognate “rupt”. It is found in words like: erupt, disrupt, interrupt, etc. Students will be involved in a brainstorming session about words that contain the cognate and will complete graphic organizers for each cognate to help them remember the cognate’s meaning.
Ways to Help Your Child with Homework
Setting the Atmosphere
Help your child find a quiet, comfortable place to work.
Turn off the TV and radio to eliminate distractions.
Have your child see you as a reader and worker.
Read aloud to your child. Reread favorite stories.
Read with your child. Take turns.
Have your child explain their homework to you.
Recognize the value of silent reading.
Responding to Errors in Reading
Based on the way most of us were taught to read, we have told the child to “sound it out” when s/he comes to an unknown word. While phonics is an important part of reading, reading for meaning is the primary goal. To produce independent readers who monitor and correct themselves as they read, the following prompts are recommended before saying “sound it out”.
Give the child wait time of 5-10 seconds. See what s/he attempts to do to help him/herself.
“What would make sense here?”
“What do you think that word could be?”
“Does that word sound right (or look right) to you?”
“Use the picture to help you figure out what it could be.”
“Go back to the beginning and try that again.”
“Go back to the beginning and get your mouth ready to say the first sound in the word.”
“Skip over it and read to the end of the sentence. Now what do you think it is?”
“Put in a word that would make sense there.”
“You read that word before on another page. See if you can find it.”
“Is the word _ or _?”
Give your child the word.
Words of Encouragement
Most importantly, focus on what your child is doing well and attempting to do. Remain loving and supportive. When your child is trying to work out the trouble spots and has difficulty, comments such as the following can be helpful:
“Good for you. I like the way you tried to work that out.”
“That was a good try. Yes, that word would make sense.”
“I like the way you looked at the picture to help yourself.”
“I like the way you went back to the beginning of the sentence and tried that again. That’s what good reader’s do.”
“You are becoming a good reader / problem solver. I’m proud of you.”
“You read that just like a grown-up.” (when reading fluently)
“I like the way you read that like you meant it.”
School Policies and Procedures
Attendance:
Your child’s school attendance is important to his/her learning. When your child is not at school, he/she misses many of the learning activities and discussions that cannot be made up as homework. However, if your child is ill or there is a family emergency, please call the school office at 766-2904 to inform us of the absence.
Guidance Counselor:
Our guidance counselor is here to help children and their families deal with difficult situations such as divorce, relationships, and death. She is a wonderful resource when you need to talk to someone confidentially about a family difficulty.
Medications:
Medication may not be given to your child by a classroom teacher. If your child must have medication during the school day, please contact the school office. If your child should need to take cough drops, please send a note explaining this.
Lunch:
The children are given approximately 20 minutes to eat lunch. Our lunch monitors encourage children to eat, but do not force them to eat anything they do not like. We try to discourage “food swapping” and would appreciate it if you would explain this to your child. Please let me know if your child has any food allergies or dietary restrictions.
If your child will be going home for lunch, please send a note explaining this. We are not allowed to release your child during the school day without your written or verbal consent. If your child will be going home for lunch every day, one note explaining this will be fine.
All money for lunch or lunch milk should be sent to our school office in a properly marked envelope.
Breakfast/Milk: Your child will be given the opportunity to have breakfast at school each day. The office will let you know the cost, if any, for the breakfast. It will be eaten in the classroom from 8:15-8:30 while I am taking attendance, collecting homework and notes, etc. Your child may also purchase milk for this time. If you do not want to purchase breakfast or milk but would like to send a healthy snack for your child to eat during this time, feel free to do so.
NOTE: This is a “working breakfast”! During the time your child is having breakfast or snack, they are writing down the assignments, completing their morning math problems, or reading quietly.
Recess Clothing:
Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather. All children are expected to go outside for recess unless the school office determines that it is too cold (usually when the temperature including the wind chill factor is zero or below) or the child has a medical excuse. Snowsuits and boots are required for playing in the snow, but all children should wear warm coats, boots, hats, and mittens in the winter. Please be sure your child’s name/initials are on all articles of clothing. (You can’t imagine how many black and blue snow pants are walking around Rawson!)
Recess Play:
Generally, the school policy is that all children should engage in play that is safe for all (see the Rawson School Handbook/Calendar of Events for more information). The playground rules will be explained to all children during the first week of school, along with the consequences for dangerous and/or aggressive activities. Please discuss the importance of safe and respectful behavior with your child.
Gym Shoes:
If your child does not normally wear tennis shoes to school, please make sure your child has a pair of gym shoes that can be kept at school. An inexpensive pair of tennis shoes works well for Gym and when your child’s feet grow, they are easily replaced.
Library Books:
In fourth grade, students are allowed to check out three library books per week. At least one book will be an Accelerated Reader book (I will be sending information home about this program when it begins.) As with the reading books, please help your child take care of the books and return them on time. New books cannot be checked out until the old ones have been returned. If a book is lost, or damaged, there will be a replacement fee.
Art Supplies:
It is important that your child have all the Art supplies listed on the Fourth Grade Supply List. An old, oversized shirt provides a good smock for Art so that your child’s clothes are protected from paint, glue and other messy materials.
Ways to Be Involved
As your child’s first teacher, you know your child better than anyone. The most important way to be involved in your child’s education is to continue to be supportive of his or her efforts. Show your support by looking at the work your child brings home and asking questions about what he or she has done. It is important to your child’s success that he or she knows you care about what they do in school.
If you have the time, there are other ways you can be a part of what’s going on at school. I have listed some of them below, but there are always new opportunities developing throughout the school year.
1. Attend Parent/Teacher Conferences
This is a great opportunity for you and I to discuss your child’s progress and brainstorm any necessary steps for his/her future success.
2. Become a regular member of the Parent Team (also known as the “PTO”)
We have a dedicated group of parents who are invaluable in helping Rawson School achieve its goals. These parents also provide their point of view about many school policy decisions. Have your voice be heard! The meetings are held once per month in the evening.
3. Become a classroom volunteer. We adore helpers! There are many ways to do this (and they do not all require being present in the classroom).
Read a story to the class
Work with children by listening to them read
Assist in clerical work by cutting out materials, stapling book order forms, etc.
Share your occupation or hobby with the class
Share your artistic talents with the class
Work with children in the computer lab
Help students edit written stories
Classroom “Wish List”
Many parents have told me that they would love to be more involved in their child’s classroom, but because of work obligations or home situations they are short on time. I certainly understand the dilemma of wanting to help out at school and the obligations of work.
Our “Wish List” is another way that parents can become involved. Below I have listed some items that we “wish” we had or that we use often. Any of these items would be sincerely appreciated.
Paper plates – large and small
Plastic or Styrofoam cups – large and small
Baggies that seal securely
Pencils – I have a “rent-a-pencil” container for students who need to rent a pencil for the day
Dry Erase markers – we use white boards A LOT!!!
Napkins – for special celebrations
Baby Wipes – for sanitizing headphones on computers/ listening centers and for wiping the overhead
Disposable cameras – for classroom use
Aluminum foil
Waxed paper
Paper towels-used for morning breakfast
Extra rubber playground balls or basketballs
Appropriate indoor recess games (like a Chess set, UNO, Trouble, Connect Four, etc.
As we go through the year, projects may require specific supplies. In these cases, we will send a note in advance to explain our needs. **